Construction conflicts continuing to delay VA hospital

VA gives ultimatum to construction contractor

Orlando's troubled VA hospital is facing more delays and giving its construction contractor an ultimatum -- fix it or be fired.

The notice from the Department of Veterans Affairs comes with a deadline next week and local veterans are demanding answers, and results.

The VA Medical Center at the medical city in Lake Nona is already four months past its original opening date and because of continued conflicts veterans might not get the care they've been waiting for until sometime next year.

The contractor and VA have been playing the blame game for more than a year.

Now, Brasfield and Gorrie has a Monday deadline to answer a show cause notice that essentially is asking for proof that it should not be fired.

The contractor told WESH 2 News it "disagrees with the VA's claims" of foot-dragging, and in the past has complained of frequent design changes from the VA causing delays.

At the VA clinic, which provides some medical care until the new hospital is built, Navy retiree Conrad McGarry doesn't know who is to blame.

"I don't know if I could say for sure, I don't know," said McGarry. "All I can say is you should take care of the vets."

The delays are further pushing up the price from an original estimate of $616 million in 2007, to what could end up being a bill of nearly $750 million.

"That's taking a lot of the taxpayers' money," said Mike McDaniel of the Florida American Legion.

The American Legion said 90,000 local veterans who will depend on the medical center can't afford to see their care delayed.

"What we would like to see is both organizations be accountable and step up to the plate, and let's get this hospital back up to speed so that veterans will have the use that they so rightly deserve after serving our country and giving a portion of their lives," said McDaniel.

Rep. John Mica may push for mediation to resolve problems between the two sides.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will review the response next week from Brasfield and Gorrie and determine if the contractor will stay on the job or be fired and replaced.

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